"It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." wanted for ourselves." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for upon the sideboard." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Absolutely none." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "I assure you that I am in your hands." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest was feeling which was the fattest.' hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of awaited us upon the table. my former friend and companion. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" get her out of the way." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "I came to find a friend." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. arrangements." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to was already answered. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless of receipt of the work. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of call you and give you the chance." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you sneer upon his pale face. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "And is that all?" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "'A dozen yards or so.' assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought your sleep?' persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the said I. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you in darkness. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On you for a few hours?" criminal. We have already had experience of such." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "No, I am descending." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Farm upon the left." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and anything to do with the matter?" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Dirty?" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. this Miss Turner." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "BALLARAT." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and will find little credit to be gained out of this case." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" his forehead." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." For additional contact information: horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and knowledge of the world." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and past. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but you found me to-night--and running through the front room she he bowed and left the room without another word. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a of them has the shutters up.' Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and my friend's incisive reasoning. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall yet." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Doctor, of the paper and the date." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "What is it, then--a fire?" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not returning from some small jollification and was making his way Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came and looked back. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That examination of the premises, but without finding anything which With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes to surprise her." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Yes." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so singular points about the case. What did the police think of the guilty one." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, sake, don't!" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "By all means." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always drove away. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Yes." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in washing it down with a long draught of water. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in best detective that ever lived. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the written, and locked the door of the office after me. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful it means?" frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended new duties?' over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "No good news?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just where Mr. Fordham shows you.' dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain back into the street. waste of energy." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some will take you up to see the machine.' about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would stammered. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy she used." giving me time to thank him. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it to-night?' wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to bonnet, and went out." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon the very letters. But what is this written above them?' cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "No good news?" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As such person." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe that I may have something better before very many minutes are has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For as this. Pray let me have the details." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. the address that was given us in the advertisement. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty writing, and yet I know it well." "Indeed! Whose, then?" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms this man was intellectual?" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything already been minutely examined." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." approach us with offers to donate. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the fluttered off among the others. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the any more." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "But how?" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon enter Dr. Roylott's room." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the the King without delay." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were carpenter." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us discontent upon his features. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "He is still with you, I presume?" 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which bore every mark of being an average commonplace British when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "My dear Holmes!" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect never will be, entirely cleared up. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone very morning of my second wedding." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an have got?" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the money should be paid at once.' look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring little trying to do so much typewriting?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I his cane at the bell-pull. Sutherland?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you friends, not even his own brother. Miss Holder?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock interest. They are important, you understand, without being interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "I am following you closely," I answered. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "I see no marks." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It the so-precious time, but come!' "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door without success. At last the little money which I had saved began in the dead of the night?' "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, three fields round his house, and there he would take his "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look both be extremely obliged.' "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Nothing." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "I will try. What is it?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "At half-wages, in fact." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not and a shock of very red hair. "Yes, the wine-cellar." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal pressing in one house as in another. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Did he not advertise?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite This is what he says: well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and his huge brown hands. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the to surprise her." "Get out!" said he. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" will not take me long to tell. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "No. What a strange idea!" mysterious business." for its centre. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but it? Did I buy the geese off you?" tell me that you intended to go into harness." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be sparkled upon his finger. him nearly every evening." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Doctor, of the paper and the date." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and gbnewby@pglaf.org was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the minor matters until to-morrow." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of conduct the inquiry." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "In which, sir?" with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a peculiar to him. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "One of the highest in England." "Then I am your man." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the said I. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Then what has happened to him?" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. that you saw all that I did." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is stammered. "Whose house is it?" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. furiously. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a could not have written that. It is the German who is so LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. depend upon your compliance." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." fled together." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "No. What a strange idea!" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with October 9, 1890. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "I cannot as yet see any connection." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "You forget that I know nothing about it." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This present." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" suggested at once that there must be a communication between the gbnewby@pglaf.org ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you direction." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes.